There are times in ministry that we as pastors’ wives start asking ourselves, “What is my purpose?” We can get lost in all the “stuff” of life and ministry and lose our focus of our purpose. Today one of our Confidante Team members who is a pastor’s wife writes about this subject and I know it will be a blessing to you.
Do you have a purpose?
Do you have focus in your life or just react as life happens to you?
Do you say yes to too many busy things that you have no time to do truly meaningful, Kingdom-building things?
Do you lose track of your time so that you cannot really fulfill your purpose?
If you said yes to any of these questions, it’s time to sit down and do some reflection. You know yourself that since you graduated from high school, time FLIES! Time seems to go by faster the older we get, but the reality is, we all have the same number of seconds, minutes, hours and days. How we choose to utilize that time is what sets us apart. Time will continue whether you’re ready for it or not. All of the things you wish you’d gotten to, the decisions you thought you could put off, the relationships you thought would be there forever, the regrets you wish you didn’t have….the time will pass like a vapor…
So, has that happened to you? Do you look back and wonder what the heck happened with all of that time? NOW is the time to stop that thinking. Do not allow life to pass you by because God has gifted YOU with it and expects you to do something meaningful with it.
A few years ago, while on sabbatical with my husband, he was doing some deep soul searching for his purpose, while I just sort of hung around. As I watched him, it occurred to me that I pursue my purpose as well, instead of letting life just happen. I spent many hours reviewing my journal and reading my Bible and praying. I asked God what He wanted of me, what He created me for. I understood my husband’s calling to preach, but what was God’s call for my life?
Through my study, this purpose was discovered:
I am called by God to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.
I am called by God to love, encourage and support my husband.
I am called by God to teach and counsel women in their pursuit of Christ.
I choose to live life on purpose, to love intentionally, and to plan accordingly!
I am grateful for this wisdom that brings glory to God, and can only be from Him! I pursue these objectives with all that I do. It has helped me to say, “No” to things that are asked of me, and given me opportunities to engage others to fulfill those requests who are better suited but never asked. It has helped me to say, “Yes” to things I never thought were in my wheelhouse. God has stretched me through the experiences and given me blessings in relationships because of these objectives.
Because of my willingness to seek His will in my life, He has given me real purpose so that my years do not just pass before me. I don’t just scratch my head at the end of a year and wonder what was accomplished. I see Him at work every day and He’s given my life depth. There is a reason why you have breath…it’s to bring glory to your Creator. He has uniquely gifted you!
Ephesians 4: As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
I want to encourage you to take some time for this kind of introspection and ask God to show you your calling. Seasons of life change. Gifts change over the years, and your calling can change. My calling is no longer to raise my daughters – they’re adults with families of their own. He will honor you when you honor Him with this kind of self-searching. If you need some help in defining God’s call on your life, or understanding “Kingdom purpose,” Care for Pastors is happy to help you!
– Christy K.
I pray you will meditate on what Christy shared with us today, and if you have gotten off track of your purpose that you will take time with the Lord and allow Him to get you refocused.
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